Okaw Veterinary Clinic

140 W. SaleTuscola, IL 61953

(217)253-3221

okawvetclinic.com

Behavior Gadgets that Backfire

If you look through any pet catalog, you will see plenty of ultrasonic/electronic devices that are designed to stop unwanted behaviors. All
of these devices are positive (you have added something) punishers (decrease a behavior). Now some of these devices are harsh, painful
and can be inhumane when used excessively. Examples are the electronic
shock collars and ultrasonic devices. Others are not pain inducing,
but are definitely a deterrent - something strongly unpleasant
happening whenever the pet performs the behavior. Examples are the
scat mats or citronella spray collars. Many behaviorists will advise
against these devices because they cause other problem behaviors when used.
The manufactures of these devices rarely warn about the resulting
problem behaviors. I am not sure why - maybe there is not any
requirement for warnings; maybe there have not been any formal studies
that prove the increased aggression and anxiety due to the use of these
devices. I just want to help you understand why these devices often
backfire, and what to advise when this happens.

A punisher
needs to deliver the punishment at a level that will stop the
specific behavior right at the time they perform the behavior. So, a
shock comes right at the bark. Now the whole scene when this shock
happens is also associated with the shocking feeling. The barking will
stop because the dog has learned that barks now cause pain, but the dog
may be avoiding the front door, or acting anxious because the shock was
happening in this setting. This dog may now growl at the front door,
or no longer happily greeting people because the door means shocks.
Great - the dog was happy to greet you as you came home through the
door, but now won't come to you or worse yet, urinates in front of the
door due to anxiety.

Redirected aggression is common with anxiety. These electronic
products often increase anxiety, so you may be presented with dogs
that are fighting for no apparent reason. The client may not be using
the ultrasonic/citronella or shocking collar now. It was the past use
that created this problem. I had a case similar to this recently. A
client purchased a citronella collar for the one dog that barked a lot
in the fenced in yard. So the collar went on and barking decreased
but then fighting relapsed between the 2 dogs that had diminished
through the behavior modification plan. After a bit of questioning I
found out the triggers were completely different for these 2 dogs.
What was going on???? It turns out the other dog had the collar on
and started growling to avoid barking which would have tripped the
collar. So the companion dog would then growl back and bingo - a fight.
As soon as I got this story I urged that the collar be removed and
out of sight. The collar was causing confusing signals between the
two dogs and increased anxiety resulting in fighting. Within 1 day of
the collar off and out of sight, these two were calm, and back to
playing well. Drugs did not need to be altered, these dogs could coexist, life is better.

Fortunately this client had told me that she had purchased the collar so
I had some clue as to what could be setting the dogs off. I doubt I
would have thought to have asked if she had anything like this in use.
Now I am asking upfront about current use of any kind of remote device.
Citronella itself is not painful but for these dogs it was too much.
Occasionally you may have dogs that become more generally anxious
just from having these items laying around the home. Think of it this
way - if every time you laughed too loud you were sprayed, you would
not only stop laughing loud, you would likely be worried that something
else may set off a startling spray. You learn that the laughing set
off the collar but are not sure what else did, so you become anxious.
Can you see how these products are creating more problems with anxiety
and aggression? It may not be an obvious effect but the effect is
there.

I cannot
fault these clients for reaching for these products. They promise
results - and one will see the undesirable behavior stop quickly.
These products are every where - Sam's Club, Walmart, PetSmart - you
name it. They don't cost a whole lot either - maybe $20 or so. A hand
held ultrasonic anti bark device is about $10 at Walgreens. Who would
not want to try the quick fix? The backfiring of the products is the
dirty little secret that is not known well. This backfiring problem is
what needs to be know and explained to the client. There be
clients who will swear by these devices as the best thing to use, and
maybe in this home with this pet there is not a problematic increase in
aggression or anxiety. I am sure there is an increase in but it may
not be a problem to the client yet.

Better
understanding of how these remote products are really working and
failing, will help people make wise choices about behavior products. Providing pet owners with appropriate alternatives that address
problems early maybe the way that this plethora of electronic punishers
will decrease. I hope so. Rewarding and positive reinforcement based
training is the safest and most effective method for training. It is
not spoiling and will not cause problem alternative behaviors that
punishers do.